No charges yet in Poconos hazing death

It has been one year since a Baruch College fraternity pledge was killed while participating in a hazing ritual at a rented home in Tunkhannock Township.

And the family of Chun Hsien "Michael" Deng is still frustrated that no one has been charged in the case, despite the fact that it was determined to be a homicide, their attorney said.

"The entire circumstance has been devastating," said Douglas Fierberg, an attorney who specializes in hazing cases. "The fact that the pursuit of justice has not been launched just continues to be a part of the pain."

Authorities say they expect to file charges in the near future, but have not provided a firm date. Police officials said there were more than 20-plus fraternity members staying at the house in Monroe County.

Police say Deng was knocked unconscious in the early hours of Dec. 8, 2013, while participating in what police described as a "hazing ritual." He was reportedly participating in a game called "Glass Ceiling," in which fraternity members repeatedly tackle a pledge, who is blindfolded and carrying a weighted backpack.

Police say fraternity members of the New York City school chose not to immediately call an ambulance. They reportedly waited about an hour before three members took him to a hospital in Luzerne County. By that time, he was unresponsive and required life support.

He was declared dead Dec. 9. The Luzerne County coroner's office declared his death a homicide, which is defined as death by someone else's hand.

"We're waiting for the criminal prosecution and results of police investigation to help the family identify who specifically was involved in his death," Fierberg said.

None of the fraternity members who were staying at the house have been charged, though police have said that "most" of them could face charges in the case.

Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine said in an email that he plans to charge some of the fraternity members in the near future, but did not elaborate.

"We are making progress in the investigation. We may have an initial set of defendants ready to charge in the next few weeks," Christine wrote.

Because the district attorney has not filed charges, other law enforcement agencies in the case have been tight-lipped.

"The investigation is still ongoing. The district attorney's office has requested that no comment be made at this time," said Chris Wagner, Pocono Mountain Regional Police chief.